Solar Permits

Construction Requirements

All construction requirements are based on the California Code of Regulations (CCR) Title 24:

• 2022 California Residential Code
• 2022 California Electrical Code
• 2022 California Mechanical Code
• 2022 California Plumbing Code
• 2022 California Fire Code
• 2022 California Building Code
• 2022 California Green Building Code
• Madera Municipal Code

Hard Copy Submittals:

Two complete sets of plans with a complete permit application for the first submittal (if submitting hard copy plans) shall be delivered to the Building Division located at Madera City Hall, 205 W. 4th Street, Madera, CA 93637

Electronic Submittals:

For Electronic submittals see the “Electronic Photovoltaic Plan Submittal” guidelines.

Plans shall be drawn to scale, be on substantial paper (minimum 11" x 17") and are required to be ink drawn. All sheets within each plan set shall have the same page size. All required data Sheets shall be incorporated into the plan set on sheets of the same page size (minimum 11" x 17"). Plans are to be prepared and signed by a State of California licensed contractor with any of the following classifications “A”, “B”, “C-46”, “C-10”, or a licensed electrical engineer. All plans prepared by design professionals shall bear the seal and wet signature of the professional. If the plans are prepared by a licensed contractor, provide the signature and contractor license number on each sheet. Electronic or digital signatures will be accepted.

Any deviation from the standards contained in these instructions may result in a delay in the processing of your application, and additional structural calculations or other information may be required to be submitted for review.

Policy:

Provide all the following information as applicable:

1. Permit Application:
   • Accurate description of work to be performed.
   • Project address.
   • Owner information.
   • Contractor information.
   • Valuation.
   • Signed by Applicant or Applicant’s Authorized Agent.
2. Construction Documents:
   
   • • Plan Set Cover Sheet
       • • Project address.
         • Vicinity Map
         • Owner’s name and phone number.
         • Name and address of designer.
         • Provide a Scope of Work and an accurate description of work to be performed. NOTE 1: Any changes to the already approved plans trigger the need for an Addendum or Plan Change application. 
           
           
           NOTE 2: If an Addendum or Plan Change, submit to our Front Counter a “PV Plan Change / Addendum” application clearly indicating what the changes are. Also, provide the revised plans noting the proposed changes on the Cover Sheet under the Scope of Work section, and also on the line diagram and any other impacted sheets.

        

       • Provide the proposed system capacity in kw
       • List of all equipment or system components to be installed: (PV Modules, Inverters, Main panel Upgrades, Sub Panels, Combiner Panels, Energy Storage Devices, RSDs, Optimizers, Existing PV systems, etc.)
       • List of all applicable most current California Codes.
       • Clearly indicate if the residence is equipped with fire sprinklers.
       • Provide an accurate Sheet index.
       • Provide a legend for all symbols, abbreviations, etc.

    

   • • Site Plan
       • Show the Lot with Property lines and footprint of existing residence and other existing structures.
       • Street(s) shown and labeled.
       • Include a North Arrow.
       • Show and clearly label the locations of all Equipment and system components. (PV Modules, Inverters, Main panel Upgrades, Sub Panels, Combiner Panels, RSDs, Optimizers, Energy Storage Devices, Transfer Switches, Disconnects, Existing PV systems, etc.)

    

   • • Roof (These requirements apply to roof assemblies with a slope greater than 2:12)
       

        

       • Show Fire Setbacks (Setback between horizontal ridges or hips and valleys and PV arrays.)
         • Setback dimensions.
         • Clearly indicate the % of plan view of roof top that PV array(s) cover.
         • Add a note indicating whether the residence is currently equipped with fire sprinklers or not.
       • Show Access Pathways (Pathway from roofs lowest edge to Fire Setbacks on same plane, adjacent plane, or straddling same and adjacent planes.)
         • 2 Access Pathways will be required with a minimum width of 36”.
         • 1 of the Access pathways must be from the street side of the residence. (In front of the fence.)
         • Access Pathways shall be located in areas capable of supporting fire fighters accessing the roof.
         • Access Pathways shall be located in areas with minimal obstructions.
       • Emergency Escape and Rescue Openings
         • PV modules shall not be installed below such openings.
         • A path no less than 36” shall be provided to such openings.

    

   • • Structural (Provide information clearly addressing all the following)
       • Roof must be capable of supporting the weight of the PV system.
       • The PV system shall be installed on a roof having only one roofing layer with no overlays.
       • Will the PV system weigh maximum 4 pounds per square feet or less?
       • Will the PV system be installed with a space of 2” minimum to 10” maximum between the underside of modules and the surface of the roof?
       • Will the PV system be installed without using any ballast system or counter-weight system?
       • Will the anchors be installed with a maximum horizontal anchor spacing of 6 feet and is this maximum horizontal spacing shown on the plans?
       • Show points of attachment within array on rafters/trusses. Ensure maximum span and cantilever indicated in data sheet are met.
       • Show expanded view of attachment and the build-up of roofing, attachment mechanism, flashing, and sealing.
       • Will the minimum 5/16” lag screws be installed with a minimum of 2-1/2 inch embedment into roof rafters (with pre-drilled holes), and is this minimum embedment shown on the plans?
       • All structural plan sheets prepared by a design professional (California licensed professional engineer) shall be stamped and signed by the professional (including project specific site plan, PV layout, anchorage spacing, anchorage details and manufacturer’s PV support information).

    

   • • Electrical
       • Show complete electrical single line or three-line diagram.
       • Provide equipment schedule with respective ratings/electrical characteristics.
       • 120% Rule, CEC 705.12(D)(2)(3)(b): Provide electrical calculations supporting the allowed Solar Backfed Breaker.
       • Show rating of all overcurrent protection devices. Provide electrical calculations supporting the proposed overcurrent protection devices.
       • Provide a Conductor (wire) Schedule including sizes, types, and quantities. Provide electrical calculations supporting the proposed conductor sizes and types.
       • On the Conductor Schedule, show all conduit sizes and types.
       • Is the Main Service Panel existing or to be upgraded?
       • Provide Electrical load calculations to support the proposed derating of the Main Service Breaker.
       • Provide information clearly describing any New or Existing Energy storage systems.
       • Provide information clearly describing any proposed electric meter socket adaptors (GMAs).
       • Provide information clearly describing any other New or Existing interconnected power sources (PV systems, generators, turbines, etc.), and indicate if they are either Non-RSD or RSD compliant.

    

   • • Labeling
       • Show all applicable labeling in color.
       • Directory placard.
         • Show location of array(s), equipment, and point of connection.
         • Show dotted line around exiting arrays that do not conform to the Rapid Shut Down requirements per 2022 CEC 690.56(C)(2).

    

   • • Data Sheets
       • Attach manufacturer’s specifications, equipment list, installation instruction sheets and UL listings on the plans for all the following (as applicable):
       • Inverters/Micro-inverters.
       • PV modules.
       • RSD Devices/Optimizers.
       • Racking (Please provide the basic data sheet, not the entire installation guide.)
       • Attachment system.
       • Array bonding.
       • Combiner panels.
       • Main Service Panels/Sub Panels.
       • Monitoring systems.
       • Batteries/Energy storage.
       • Transfer switches.
       • Specialty Electrical Equipment (Green Meter Adapters, EV chargers, etc.)

    

   • Page Size and Orientation
     • All sheets within each plan set shall have the same page size (Minimum 11”x 17”)
     • Plan sheets shall be printed on one side only.
     • Submittal documents may be rejected if incomplete or not properly oriented. All plans must be oriented so the top of the page is always at the top of the monitor and set to landscape. A north arrow must be provided on all plans.
     • All supplemental information must be oriented so the top of the page is always at the top of the monitor in either portrait or landscape format based on the supporting documents provided.
     • All sheets with supplemental information must be sized at 11”x 17”.
     • All plan sheets shall be to scale. Example ¼” = 1 ft.